Katherine San Pedro fundraising for The WOW Center

The goal of The WOW Center is to provide quality programs and support to individuals with developmental disabilities in order for them to lead meaningful and productive lives, explore their potential, develop a sense of community and pursue independence and jobs if able. 

Formerly known as Community Habilitation Center, the WOW Center was organized in the early 1970s thanks to the efforts of a small group of parents of children with developmental disabilities (autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, spina bifida). This group of parents were facing the reality that after their sons and daughters graduated high school, their options were limited. There were not many programs or services available for their family member in others for them to keep learning, developing and ultimately achieving their goals, the WOW Center was created to meet this need in our community.

The WOW Center is an Adult Day Training (ADT) center that currently supports and serves over 200 adults with developmental disabilities from Miami-Dade County who range in ages from 21 to 75. Since its founding, The WOW Center has broadened its programs and activities and amassed an enviable reputation throughout South Florida.

The purpose of all The WOW Center services is to offer support, guidance and encouragement to adults with developmental disabilities regarding their personal choices, abilities, growth and ultimately, independence. We provide individuals with programs designed to help them learn skills in order for them to lead meaningful and productive lives, explore their potential, and develop a sense of community. To attain these goals, the agency offers the following work and education programs: Life and Work Skills, Technology Lab, Art, Sports and Fitness, Music Therapy, Community Based Education, Supported Employment, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Services, Special Olympics, and a Service Club.